China passed 'extraordinary' coronavirus test, says bullish Xi
08 September, 2020
China has passed "a fantastic and historic test" with its handling of the coronavirus, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday (Sep 8) at a triumphant awards ceremony for doctors decorated with bugle calls and applause.
The country's propaganda machine has churned out praise for China's COVID-19 response, reframing the general public health crisis for example of the agility and organisation of the Communist leadership.
Xi doled out gold medals to four "heroes" from the medical field before a huge selection of applauding delegates on Tuesday, all wearing face masks and strikingly large red flower pins.
"We have passed an extraordinary and historic test," Xi said, praising the country for a "heroic struggle" against the condition.
"We quickly achieved initial success in the people's war against the coronavirus. We are leading the world in monetary recovery and in the fight COVID-19."
China has come under intense global scrutiny over its response to the virus, with america and Australia leading accusations against Beijing that it covered up the origins and severity of the virus.
Tuesday's lavish ceremony in the fantastic Hall of the People commenced with a minute's silence for those who lost their lives through the outbreak.
China's President Xi Jinping (centre) at a gathering to commend role models in China's fight the COVID-19 outbreak, at the fantastic Hall of the People in Beijing, Sep 8, 2020. (Photo: Reuters)
The four awardees included 83-year-old Zhong Nanshan - the country's most well-known medical expert who emerged as the face of China's fight the contagion.
He was awarded China's top national medal by Xi, who located it around Zhong's neck.
"We will join hands with the ... world's medical employees to continue the fight in tracing the origins of the virus," said Zhong.
Beijing has insisted the foundation of the virus, which first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan late this past year, is still unknown.
Three others received the honorary title of "The People's Hero" - biochemical expert Chen Wei, the top of a hospital in Wuhan, and a 72-year-old expert in traditional Chinese medicine.
Some delegates were in tears throughout a series of speeches.
There was no mention however of whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang, who was simply one of the primary to be silenced for raising the alarm about the outbreak and later died from the condition.
Prior to the ceremony, state broadcaster CCTV showed a video montage of Wuhan at the peak of the outbreak set to rousing music, including images of medical staff in hazmat suits and crowded hospitals.
According to official numbers there were 4,634 deaths in China from COVID-19. The federal government has largely contained the outbreak through a significant of strict lockdowns and travel restrictions.
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